Workaholic? Rich? Knackered? The best time to relax is when you don’t have time to relax.
The trouble is if you’re successful and too relaxed, some people may think you need an analyst.
And, yes, you may need another holiday to recover from the exhaustion of packing for the first one.
The good news about taking a cruise holiday is that you only need to pack once.
Don’t just sleep on it
If you’ve finally, reluctantly, realised you must get away from it all and are packing for a cruise, I recommend taking a copy of the US sleep specialist, Dr Matthew Edlund’s new book, The Power Of Rest: Why Sleep Alone Is Not Enough.
Dr Edlund has found, after years of prescribing sleep strategies for restless insomniacs, that how you rest is the key to long-term health.
Tell me about it! I learned long ago to walk away – literally and/or mentally – from stressful work situations so that I could return to the fray, refreshed and with most of my marbles. Well, OK, some of them were still rattling around. But I was too drunk to care.
Tell your friends to take a cruise
Apparently, just chatting with friends has been shown to reduce stress. I’ve been doing this for years. Most of my friends say I’m a loquacious gas-bag. Now you know I’m doing you a favour. You ungrateful sods.
One cruise at a time
While I love watching TV, scanning the internet, puffing an Havana, listening to my favourite music, sipping my favourite Malt, pole dancing, stroking the cat, and bending someone’s ears on the blower – all at the same time, I have also learned to focus on one thing at a time. Eating.
No, really. Just don’t try patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time. The other passengers will think you’re weird.
Physical rest – go Greek
Talking of which (joking!), a recent study by the Greeks suggests that a 30 minute snooze three times a week cuts your risk of a heart attack by 37 per cent. Why not 36 or 38 per cent? Don’t beat yourself up about it, or you’ll have a stroke.
Meditate for a longer life
According to American researchers – who were so successful they are now probably basking on a world cruise, regular prayer or meditation will help you live longer, especially if you do this with other people.
By the way, if your prayers are not answered, the answer is no.
So I guess I’ll keep on talking till you drop – everything – and take a cruise.
They don’t call me Radio Leavey, for nothing.
3 Comments
Sep 26 2010
9:39
James, brilliant!! – I think you’re wasted (not literallly)
but your talents. You should be an agony uncle. I’m tired of these aunties that give pat answer. You call it as it is. And sometimes very colourfully too!
Anyway I’m off for the first of my greek snoozes. Night night.
Sep 28 2010
10:44
I don’t believe in sleep, but prefer to take half hour power naps. On a typical day I can usually fit in about 40 of them.
Sep 30 2010
7:44
Milton, I’m crap at arithmatic too…and Brian, you’ll know it’s a Greek snooze when you wake up doing Zorba’s dance with the bedside lamp…